Danger!
Extreme danger!
His keen intuition blared alarms in his mind, putting Luo Li under immense pressure.
The lobster in front of him—let's just call this monster that for now.
Luo Li had never seen a similar creature before, and he wasn't even sure if it was a Honkai Beast.
It wasn't that he hadn't participated in missions to exterminate Honkai Beasts before, but those monsters spawned by Honkai energy were completely different from the creature before him.
Honkai Beasts, even by name, should at least have Honkai energy, right?
But the deep blue lobster in front of him felt completely different. He couldn't feel even a trace of Honkai energy on it.
In his memory, all the supernatural powers in the world were derived from Honkai energy.
And a supernatural being that completely lacked Honkai energy was, to them superhumans, neither Honkai nor scientific.
Another kind of energy, completely different from Honkai energy, seemed to flow through its body.
Luo Li was certain that thing was definitely not Honkai energy or a similar derivative, but a completely different kind of energy.
And, it was extremely dangerous.
The threat this lobster gave him was completely incomparable to the lower-level Honkai Beasts he had fought before.
When he was targeted by it, he felt every pore on his body tremble. It was a kind of suppression from a higher level of life.
A-rank?
Absolutely not!
During his training at HQ, he had sparred with those A-rank Valkyries. Even if it was just a non-lethal training match, he could roughly estimate their strength.
The pressure they gave him was definitely not this strong.
And the only one who could give him this feeling of near-desperate disparity was the woman who wore a maid outfit every day.
It was a feeling of helplessness, no matter how hard you fought, you would find an insurmountable chasm in front of you.
To those outside of Schicksal, the ranks of Valkyries were just simple numbers. Only after truly witnessing their power would you understand how big the gap between each level was.
A-rank could still be called superhuman, but S-rank could no longer be considered human.
If those Herrschers who held Authority and could cause disasters that could destroy entire civilizations in an instant could be called gods, then S-rank had the qualification to wrestle with gods.
S-rank Valkyries were the most important cornerstone of Schicksal's order today, and also the most powerful weapon in Schicksal's hands.
And the threat this lobster gave him felt like he was back in the Valkyrie school, being beaten up by that S-rank Valkyrie again and again.
The difference was that Instructor Himeko wouldn't kill him, while this monster of unknown origin really wanted to.
Its naked killing intent had almost solidified, pressing down on him, making his heart beat faster, and cold sweat seeped from his back.
But unexpectedly, this powerful lobster didn't attack instantly.
And after careful observation, Luo Li made an unexpected discovery.
This lobster, for some reason, seemed to be... wary of him?
Yes, although the lobster in front of him didn't have a human face, just as he could feel its killing intent, from the killing intent it exuded, he could also feel a certain doubt, and... wariness.
"Is there something on me that's enough to make it wary?" Luo Li thought.
He didn't think his power could make this lobster, which could easily crush him, feel wary.
And what could make such a powerful creature feel wary... there was only one possibility.
That was the spatial authority he had shared from Kiana, the power of a Herrscher.
So this thing thinks I'm a Herrscher?
And this lobster didn't seem to be confused about why his power was so weak, but rather... why there were two Herrschers.
Through the corner of his eye, Luo Li saw that Kiana in the distance also seemed to be facing a great enemy, like a cat with its fur standing on end.
It seemed to have also locked its gaze on Kiana, and directly showed its confusion.
And beside Kiana, although Ghost was also wary of the current situation, her reaction was far from as intense as his and Kiana's.
If we exclude the basically impossible reason that this lobster monster's strength was limited and couldn't target three people...
Then the remaining reason was probably... this thing had a grudge against Herrschers?
But no matter whether the monster in front of him had a grudge against Herrschers or not, it didn't affect the killing intent it directed at him.
And Luo Li also found that as time passed, the monster's patience seemed to be disappearing.
Its killing intent was getting stronger, and its doubt was constantly disappearing.
Luo Li was sure that when its doubt completely disappeared, it would be the time for the three of them to die.
But fortunately, the three of them weren't just wasting time.
With spatial power, it wasn't a problem for Luo Li and Kiana to run away.
The two of them could have run away before the lobster showed its killing intent.
And the reason they risked facing it was naturally because they had to pull along the only one of the three who couldn't teleport.
Fortunately, Ghost was not a rookie Valkyrie who had just started. Having experienced various dangerous situations, she knew what to do after realizing the current situation.
So, while the lobster's attention was drawn to Luo Li and Kiana, she slowly moved towards Kiana, who was closer to her.
Under the huge crisis, she didn't even dare to breathe too heavily.
Until she grabbed Kiana's hand.
Then, Kiana and Luo Li acted with great tacit understanding.
"Run!"
As soon as Luo Li shouted, the lobster instantly arrived, a pincer smashing down on Luo Li's original position.
Boom!!!
The entire underground space trembled.
But the lobster showed confusion, because the feeling of the smash was not right.
And when it lifted its pincer, the confusion turned to rage, because there was nothing in the huge pit.
Then, the underground space began to shake violently.
But strangely, its range of motion seemed to be firmly confined in this space by an invisible force, and it could only circle around the rift above as a radius.
---||---
Jackal's material room.
After Luo Li and Kiana left, they put everyone in the life support pods into hibernation. Before leaving, they also used the level-2 access card to put up a restriction, ensuring that no one could get in for a short time.
Thus, this place could be used as a safe point inside the enemy's territory.
And now, it was indeed being used.
Two white lights flashed, and then three people fell down.
It was Luo Li, Kiana, and Ghost.
The three of them lay on the ground, panting heavily, grateful to have just escaped danger.
Luo Li took out the access card of the man with the gold-rimmed glasses. This thing was also the key to connect to Shicksal Pharmaceuticals' internal network.
With this card, Luo Li entered Shicksal Pharmaceuticals' internal network. As a relatively high-level researcher, the man with the gold-rimmed glasses could access a lot of things.
For example, real-time internal intelligence.
But Luo Li didn't find any changes.
So he put down the access card and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Not the worst news, but we don't have much time. Jackal's death won't be hidden for long."
"I was wondering why Jackal was so confident about that door, not even arranging any protection," Ghost rolled on the ground a few times, her tone full of helplessness. "Who knew she was raising such a strong watchdog underground."
Thinking of the power the lobster had just displayed, she couldn't help but feel a toothache.
"Where did she find such a strong quantum creature?"
Luo Li keenly noticed the keyword.
"Quantum creature?"
"It's a creature from the Sea of Quanta. It's hard to explain to you in a short time. Just think of it as a Honkai Beast that uses another kind of power for now."
And at this time, Kiana also expressed her opinion.
"I feel... that monster seems to be bound in that space."
At her words, Luo Li added, "And it seems to have a great malice towards Herrschers."
"There's one more piece of news," Ghost's words drew the attention of the two. "Not good news."
She took out a display only half the size of a palm, on which a scarlet exclamation mark was displayed.
"This is the detonation device for the Collapse Bomb. There seems to be some device interfering with the signal there."
"World Serpent must have expected someone to come and blow up that door. I don't know what technology they used to interfere with the signal. Their information technology seems to be more advanced than Schicksal's."
"So, this path is not feasible?" Luo Li asked.
"Not necessarily," Ghost shook her head. "It can be manually detonated, but the price..."
She didn't finish, but they all knew what the price was. Detonating the bomb at such a close distance, the detonator could not possibly survive.
After speaking, the three of them fell into silence.
With that monster guarding, they couldn't send the Collapse Bomb into the rift, let alone blow it up.
Things seemed to have come to a standstill here.
With that monster blocking the way, they could do nothing but watch as World Serpent's plan entered the countdown.
To stop it, they either had to blow up the core part of the theme park, or blow up the door underground in the laboratory.
But the former was blocked by a Dodo Bird comparable to an S-rank Valkyrie, and the latter was blocked by a lobster comparable to an S-rank Valkyrie.
No matter which path, it was an insurmountable abyss for them now.
Because their strength was not enough.
"Sure enough, the disparity in strength is the most unsolvable scheme," Luo Li sighed and began to think about what other ways to break the situation.
Seeing the atmosphere fall into silence, Kiana looked at Luo Li and slowly raised her hand.
"Actually, I have an idea..."
But before she could finish, she was interrupted by Luo Li.
"No, you don't."
Looking at the girl's lowered head, Luo Li fell silent.
He of course knew what Kiana wanted to do. Although that monster was very powerful, the two of them had strong mobility with their spatial authority.
As long as one person held back the lobster, the other could rush in with the bomb and detonate it before it could react.
Kiana was brought here by him to help. Although she was seeking death, Luo Li would not watch her die.
If it really came to a point where things were irreversible, he would still consider this plan.
But the person who would die with the bomb should not be Kiana, but him, Luo Li.
But for now, there was still some time.
As long as he wasn't completely cornered, he wouldn't put his life on the gambling table.
After all, although he wasn't afraid of death, it didn't mean he didn't cherish his life.
There would always be more meaningful things in this world, and he hoped his life could be used for those more meaningful things.
He was a little greedy, always wanting something better...
So Luo Li began to review the cards he had in his hand, to see if he could find a feasible path again.
And at this moment, a drowsy voice came, as if someone had just woken up.
"Where is this?"
This voice seemed a little confused, but after a pause, it became extremely furious.
"Damn it, I remember!"
"How dare you humiliate the great Sovereign of Anti-Entropy, damn scum, when I get out, I will tear you alive!"
Luo Li and the others were attracted by this voice. They got up and saw a blue-haired man lying in a life support pod, constantly cursing.
It was the clone of the First Herrscher.
And coincidentally, he also saw Luo Li and the others standing outside.
Instantly, his eyes became sharp.
He realized that the other party was not the same group of people who had imprisoned him.
So he slightly suppressed the violence in his heart, but still said in a near-commanding tone:
"Are you also here to destroy these scums?"
"Hurry up and let this Sovereign out. I can give you a chance to pledge your loyalty."
But at his words, Luo Li and the others looked at him as if he were a fool.
And this undisguised gaze directly pierced the clone's heart, making his anger, which had subsided upon seeing the hope of escape, rise again.
And his hard-won reason was also cleared again.
"Bastard! Didn't you hear my words?"
He was like a lion trapped in a cage, his eyes almost spitting fire, roaring at Luo Li and the others, "I order you, open the door for me!"
But at his words, Luo Li and the others looked at him as if he were a rare animal.
"Bastard! Bitch! Scum! I order you to open the door for me! Open the door for me!"
"Otherwise, when I get out, I'll make you wish you were dead!!!"
Luo Li looked at Ghost and saw that her face was tense. He looked at Kiana again and saw that she also looked as if she were watching a clown.
So Luo Li confirmed his judgment.
"This person probably has a problem with his brain."
But Luo Li thought of his identity, the clone of the First Herrscher, and the ability to control gravity he had shown at that time.
He suddenly realized that this might be a way to break the situation.
Then he looked at the two girls and saw that they were also deep in thought.
The three of them exchanged a look, then looked at the clone who was still roaring and cursing.
For a moment, the clone of the First Herrscher was made to feel uneasy by their gaze, and his tone couldn't help but pause.
But then, it was even greater anger.
"Ants, are you worthy of looking at me?"
But Luo Li had already come to the pod that sealed him, tapped gently on the window, and said with a smile, "Sovereign of Anti-Entropy, right? Very good, it's time for you to sacrifice yourself for humanity."
Looking at the smile on Luo Li's face...
For some reason, a bad premonition suddenly appeared in the clone's heart.
---||---
Since they couldn't use the detonator to detonate the Collapse Bomb at the gate to the Stigmata Space, they would give up the detonator.
Let those volunteers who were willing to sacrifice themselves for the future of humanity detonate it.
As for the choice of who to detonate the bomb...
After a full discussion, Luo Li and the others unanimously decided to give this opportunity to shine for human civilization to the 'Sovereign' of Anti-Entropy.
"I don't agree, you bastards!"
"Let me go, I am the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy, I am the hope of leading humanity to defeat the Honkai, I must live!"
"Didn't you hear me?! Scum! Trash! Bitch!"
"Let me go! Let me go!!"
"You can't do this!!!"
Ignoring the blue-haired man in the life support pod, whose face was twisted and who was constantly cursing...
Luo Li tied the metal box containing the Collapse Bomb to the life support pod of the clone of the First Herrscher.
To ensure stability, Luo Li found chains and tape and tied the two together tightly.
Of course, he knew that this level of binding was basically useless for this clone. As long as he could break free from the constraints of the life support pod, he could easily get rid of it.
This clone's strength was very strong. Even if it was just a clone of the real Herrscher of Reason, it was still an existence that Luo Li and the other two could not fight against at this time.
But fortunately, this guy had somehow failed and been captured by World Serpent.
He was sealed in a life support pod, and was constantly being slowly injected with Honkai energy inhibitor, making him always in a weak state, which gave Luo Li and the others a chance to operate.
When it was time to detonate, there were only two choices for the clone.
Either be electrocuted to a crisp by the highest power suppression module, or burst out with strength to break free.
And to break free, he had to burst out with strength, and the burst of strength would stimulate the detonation of the Collapse Bomb.
Ironically, the clone of the First Herrscher, who was rumored to have the ability to construct all things, only had the ability to control gravity.
Although this ability was still powerful, it was still completely insufficient compared to the real Herrscher's Authority.
On the contrary, it was suitable for detonating the Collapse Bomb, which was extremely sensitive to gravity.
As for whether there would be any guilt for using him as a detonator for the bomb, Luo Li's answer was: not at all!
From the beginning of the conversation until now, Luo Li had basically figured out what kind of thing this clone was.
Despising life, extremely arrogant, hypocritical, selfish, and completely irresponsible.
This guy couldn't be bothered to hide his emotions, and from the beginning, he had been showing his malice and desire nakedly.
In his eyes, Luo Li and the others were not even people he could talk to, but just slaves he could kill at will!
So from the beginning, Luo Li didn't think this indescribable thing would be the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy.
Although Schicksal and Anti-Entropy were in a state of hostility, even the Valkyries of Schicksal could not deny that the First Herrscher was indeed a very magnanimous person.
If we set aside the positions of the two organizations, the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy was also a noble person who truly fought for humanity.
If the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy was really this kind of thing, then that would be the biggest insult to Schicksal.
After all, to be able to confront Schicksal for nearly half a century, the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy could not be such a character.
After confirming that the bomb was firmly tied to the clone's life support pod, Luo Li looked at Ghost and Kiana.
At this time, the two of them were working together to send the children in the life support pods out one by one through the spatial door.
At the beginning, because the three of them all had to perform missions, they couldn't send these children out for the time being, so they could only leave them in the life support pods first, preparing to transfer them after the mission was completed.
But now that the mission had changed, to prevent accidents, they decided to send these children out first.
Soon, the entire hall was filled with empty life support pods.
And the children who were released left under the leadership of a boy who was exceptionally calm compared to the other children.
And accompanying them was Ghost.
After all, ARK City was basically under the control of World Serpent now. Letting these children run around outside was no different from letting them commit suicide.
Coincidentally, the next operation did not require Ghost's assistance. After some discussion, the three of them decided to let Ghost take these children to a safe stronghold.
Ghost walked a few steps, but just as she was about to cross the door, she couldn't help but turn back and look at Kiana and Luo Li.
"You two, be careful."
"I'll wait for you at the new stronghold."
Luo Li patted the life support pod beside him, which made the clone inside curse again, but Luo Li automatically ignored it and said to Ghost with a smile:
"Don't worry, with the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy willingly sacrificing himself, the probability of success is quite high."
Ghost nodded.
"I'll be waiting for you."
Then, she no longer hesitated, decisively passed through the spatial door opened by Kiana, and left Shicksal Pharmaceuticals.
"Trash! Scum! Bastard! Bitch..." Unbearable sounds kept coming from the clone's mouth. Even though Luo Li thought he was already very calm, he was still a little annoyed.
So he directly activated the suppression module.
Then...
Bzzzt!!!
A dazzling electric current instantly ran through the clone. Then his curses turned into screams, then wails, and finally his eyes rolled back, and he passed out completely.
At this time, Luo Li finally had time to talk to Kiana, who was still standing there.
"Now there are only the two of us."
"Yeah."
"I'll be responsible for attracting the lobster's attention later. You take the opportunity to throw this bomb into the Stigmata Space, and then just run."
"Yeah."
"Anything else to add?"
"No."
Looking at Kiana, who was standing there properly, in a quiet state, Luo Li felt a little frustrated.
It seemed that after experiencing life and death, the two of them had become closer, and she seemed unwilling to pretend to be full of energy anymore.
Instead, she unconsciously showed her true mental state around him.
Melancholy, indifferent, standing quietly on the side, as if detached from the world.
Luo Li had no way to deal with this, but for her to be able to take off her mask and directly show her psychological scars was not necessarily a bad thing.
Pain buried in the heart would only brew into greater pain.
Only by starting to face the wounds in one's heart could there be a possibility of mending and healing them.
All in all, it should be a good thing?
But being influenced by her emotions, he also felt a faint sadness.
Shaking his head, he drove the thoughts out of his mind. Luo Li extended his hand to Kiana and said with a solemn expression:
"Please, Kiana."
In this operation, their lives were on the same line. If they failed, they would go to the underworld together.
Kiana was stunned for a moment, then also extended her hand solemnly and shook Luo Li's.
"Yeah!"